Illegal License Plate Frames

Next time you get inyour car and have a license plate frame installed, you may be in violation of the law and not even know it. It's an old law in South Carolina but it's getting a lot of new attention. Officers say drivers typically aren't aware that if the license plat frame covers certain aspects of the plate, they're breaking the law. They add even out of state drivers wil not be excused if they are caught in violation.

By: WBTW | WSAV News 3
Published: March 10, 2009

KENNETH WILCOX SAYS HAVING A LICENCE PLATE FRAME ON HIS CAR IS REALLY NOT SOMETHING HE GAVE MUCH THOUGHT TO... UNTIL HE FOUND OUT THERE'S A STATE LAW THAT SAYS THOSE ARE ILLEGAL IF NOT INSTALLED THE RIGHT WAY.

"on mine when I bought the car they put their frame around it and of course that's an advertisement for him but at least on mine you can see enough to see that it's from North Carolina"

BUT CITY POLICE SAY THAT IS STILL A VIOLATION--AND DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE SPARED IF YOU'RE FROM OUT OF STATE.

"no letter or number can be obstructed by any clear or smoke colored shield any frame work if there is any frame work around the licence plate it has to be able to still clearly show all the letters and all the numbers"

"this is how city police explained to us the correct and the incorrect way of putting a license plate frame on your car. If you're driving around with a frame that looks like this, then you're ok...but if you're caught driving around with a frame that covers the name of the state like this..get ready to pay a hefty fine"

Investigator. Jim Allen/City of Myrtle beach Police Department

"for the municipality of Myrtle Beach it's a hundred thirty three dollar fine"

A FINE NANCY PRIMEAUX (PRIMO) OF MYRTLE BEACH SAYS SHE WILL RISK TO PAY IF SHE GETS PULLED OVER

Nancy Primeaux/Myrtle Beach Resident

"I'm stickin' with it that's right I am not pulling it off"

BUT THAT WON'T BE THE CASE WITH WILCOX

"I've already gotten my ticket for the trip to the beach for speeding so I think I'll just behave and get rid of it haha"

REPORTING IN HORRY COUNTY AK NEWS 13.